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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3304 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

The Government has also decided to provide subsidised funding arrangements for 50 temporary traineeships for up to 12 months for long-term unemployed youth. Priority for these places will be given to teenagers who have been unemployed for more than six months. As part of the recently concluded enterprise bargaining agreement, the Department of Education is to introduce a new teaching classification to target the recruitment of teachers who have recently completed their training. It is expected that 50 teaching positions will be filled from new graduates.

I am announcing today the creation of a new program to assist elite sportspersons to establish a career within the Public Service and also remain competitive in their chosen sport. Ten positions have been created under the sports enhancement program, which will be linked to the Olympic job opportunities program managed in the ACT by Ernst and Young. The program will be available to new or existing Public Service staff and will provide them with an opportunity for more flexible working arrangements to accommodate training times and extended competition.

A new program will commence shortly to provide better opportunities for excess employees or those who are injured and unable to return to their previous position in the ACT Public Service. It is called the help program, and employees will be given the opportunity to undertake work placements with non-government employers, providing direct experience and new skills which will enhance their prospects for retention in the work force. The Government will also continue the women in the work force development scheme to provide six months of employment and training within the Public Service for disadvantaged women seeking re-entry into the work force. Funding of $140,000 has been made available for 12 participants.

The ACT Government will continue to work with the private sector to support and promote a range of training and labour market programs which will develop skills, give young Canberrans real experience, and promote real job opportunities. Our commitment to this area is clearly demonstrated in the recent joint venture agreement signed between the Government and Unisys Australia. This project will eventually lead to more than 1,000 high-technology jobs right here. Through a partnership with CIT, local computer programmers and analysts will receive training and certification in the work required to prepare computer and data systems for the changes required to dating systems prior to the year 2000. This project has already enhanced Canberra's reputation as a centre for high technology and has helped to further diversify our economic base.

The agreement with Unisys is only one of many initiatives this Government is pursuing. Amendments to the Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act, which we have already tabled in the Assembly and which were semidebated this morning, will provide additional funds to support a new package of employment and training proposals. This package will result in placements for an additional 50 apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry. The Government has allocated $290,000 for funding projects under the annual employment grants program. It is anticipated that 300 unemployed people will benefit from the training programs funded under this scheme.

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